The Super Nintendo or SNES as it is widely known, was Nintendo Corporation's 16 bit equivalent to the Sega Megadrive, and was the successor to the Nintendo Entertainment System. Released in Japan on November 21, 1990 and called the Super Famicom (short for Super Family Computer) it quickly established itself as Sega's main rival.

In Autumn 1991, the Super Nintendo hit the American shops. With a different design to the Super Famicom (although the internal architecture was identical), and a different cartridge shape to combat importing of US games overseas, the American model matched the success of the Super Famicom in Japan.

Finally, after almost two years of waiting, the Europeans got to see what all the fuss was about and they weren't disappointed! Sporting the same case as the Super Famicom, but running at a slower clock speed of 50Hz because many TV sets did not have the capability to run at 60Hz, the initial release of the Super Nintendo came bundled with two controllers and Super Mario World. Early game releases included the excellent F-Zero, and an arcade conversion of Super R-Type.

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Over the next few years, the Super Nintendo produced some of the best known video games of all time. Mario made his obligatory appearance in many games (the best of the bunch being Super Mario Kart), and Donkey Kong made a welcome return in the hugely successful Donkey Kong Country trilogy. Other notable successes were Super Probotector: Alien Rebels, Street Fighter 2 Turbo and RPG classics such as Zelda and Secret of Mana.

As the competition between Sega and Nintendo went on, and the games got better and better, so did the technology. Many of the later games released contained additional hardware to create advanced effects, compress data and process instructions quicker. The two most widely used were the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) chip which was used in games such Pilotwings and Super Mario Kart to create 3D effects by scaling and rotating backgrounds, and the SuperFX chip used in Starwing which creates 3D landscapes through polygons and texture mapping (something we are all used to now, but was revolutionary at the time!).

The Super Nintendo was succeeded by the Nintendo 64 in 1997, and was taken off the shelves in 1998. This was due to the phenomenal success of the Playstation. The Playstation had originally been developed by Sony and Nintendo together as a CD add-on for the SNES, but they scrapped the idea. Sony took the technology they had been working on and created the Playstation. The rest is history.

Many people regard the Super Nintendo as the best video game system made, and few could argue the effect it has had on recent game developments. The Nintendo / Sega war that raged in the nineties was the same as the Commodore / Spectrum war of the eighties, and however you feel about the console it will always remain one of the most significant piece's of video gaming history.

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Welcome to 2636, the year the Notorious One gets even with an unprecedented alien onslaught orchestrated to push 16-bit technology and its commandos to their ultimate reaches. Plunge through a molten hot massacre on a high speed voyage to the guts of the archenemy alien. Scope out the side and top perspectives and backgrounds that do a 360 to...

NO WAY! Your Cool Spot chums are locked away! YES WAY! You, as Cool Spot are here to save the day! For years, Wild Wicked Wily Wil has been trying to capture a real live SPOT to prove they exist. Now, Wil may be about to get his wish. The good news is you're here to save the day! Quit gawping over the dreamy scenery, the awesome animation and the...

Sharpen your long swords for the ultimate high seas battle! In plundering two player action team up as Morgan and Shaw to uncover a treasure trove of priceless gems and gold bullion! Battle bloodthirsty pirates with knives, pistols and flaming torches!

2065 AD. The nations of Earth have once again split into two major powers. The line dividing these new arch enemies reaches as far as the lunar frontier, where axis forces have constructed a moon base capable of launching monolithic intergalactic battle cruisers. Your mission is to take command of the Cybernator and confront the most powerful...

Get ready to duck and cover. Because the fate of the planet rests squarely on Duck Dodgers - alias Daffy Duck - the fearless space crusader from the cartoon adventure series. Marvin Martian, the extrafiendish extraterrestrial, is poised to obliterate the galaxy! So choose your weapon. Then help Daffy Duck race from planet to planet in hot...

Trade in your racquet for a game controller. The category of sports home video games has just taken a quantum leap forward into a new dimension of realism - David Crane's Amazing Tennis. Developed by David Crane, an industry pioneer and one of the best selling game designers of all time. Amazing Tennis redefines the term 'state of the...

The Demons realm is peaceful until six stones fall from the sky. Each stone represents a portion of the Demon's Crest. When united, the stones bring the user ultimate power over demons and humans. These stones were so highly sought that civil war broke out in the realm. The fight lead to much bloodshed, until one gargoyle emerged victorious: the...

Yipes. Grab your slingshot, water pistol and peashooter. Margaret, the first-fighting doll-toting priss and Joey, Dennis' wimpy but loyal friend are missing and so is Mr Wilsons valuable coin collection. Can Dennis sneak into Mr Wilsons house and find his slingshot and peashooter without being spotted? Uh oh, he's got rope ladders to climb and...

A vast war zone seperates you from your ultimate goal of total victory. You must destroy the enemy's forces and military facilities including Scud missile sites, fuel pipelines, airfields and ultimately their command headquarters. Experience thrilling and deadly aerial dogfights. dice with death as Rapier missiles streak...

With a fiery blast from your Hydra Rockets you must annihilate a ruthless tyrant's military arsenal. Strafe his airfields and rip into his tank armies as you challenge the Madman's forces in a series of devastating strikes. 27 dangerous missions stand between you and the ultimate showdown!

With a fiery blast from your Hydra Rockets you must annihilate a ruthless tyrant's military arsenal. Strafe his airfields and rip into his tank armies as you challenge the Madman's forces in a series of devastating strikes. 27 dangerous missions stand between you and the ultimate showdown!

Dino Dini scores another goal! From the creator of Kick Off - the best selling series of football game - comes Dino Dini's Soccer, a game so packed full of features and advanced game play, you'll still be at it when France kick off the next World Cup!

A challenging high performance, texture mapped 3D off road racing game for one or two players. Intelligent computer opponents automatically adjust to the players skill level. Experience the sensation of driving a 'Dune Buggy', 'Off Road Rally Car' or '4x4 Monster Truck'. Compete in League and Cup competitions on the grass and mud of England...

Donald Duck goes undercover as Maui Mallard to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the powerful Tiki Statue. Without it, the island will be lost! Help Donald sneak and shoot his way through 8 levels as you explore magical underworlds, fight your way through the haunted mansion and be seduced by the charm of the Mojo Sorceress. As Maui...

Donkey Kong is back with a new sidekick, Diddy Kong in a crazy island adventure! Challenged by the crazed tribe of reptilian Kremlings, they endeavour to get back their stolen banana hoard! Armed with lightning -quick moves, chest pounding muscle and awesome aerial acrobatics, our duo is ready to face their cunning adversaries. With the help of...

Donkey Kong is back with a new sidekick, Diddy Kong in a crazy island adventure! Challenged by the crazed tribe of reptilian Kremlings, they endeavour to get back their stolen banana hoard! Armed with lightning -quick moves, chest pounding muscle and awesome aerial acrobatics, our duo is ready to face their cunning adversaries. With the help of...

OK Kid, wipe that drool off your chin and listen up. Kaptain K. Rool and his cruellest cut-throat Kremlings have kidnapped that flea-bitten ape Donkey Kong. I figured I'd rescue him when the little pip-squeak DIDDY pops along with his girlfriend, and they head off fixin' to prove themselves as heroes or something. Come to think of it, I...

OK Kid, wipe that drool off your chin and listen up. Kaptain K. Rool and his cruellest cut-throat Kremlings have kidnapped that flea-bitten ape Donkey Kong. I figured I'd rescue him when the little pip-squeak DIDDY pops along with his girlfriend, and they head off fixin' to prove themselves as heroes or something. Come to think of it, I...

Monkey Mayhem Lives On! Kiddy Kong is a portly primate toddler with incredible power and agility! He teams up with Dixie Kong to stop the ever-present army of Kremlings. The game play and ACM graphics just keep getting better in this visually stunning installment in one of the most popular video game series of all time! Combining the unique...

This is Doom! This is the faithful, full gore, bad attitude, 16-meg version of the PC original with all the monsters, levels, weapons and surprises screaming around every corner. Strap on your ammo and prepare for the ultimate descent into a hell-bread pit of danger and death. This is your chance to become a hero. Or die trying!

Welcome to Doom, soldier. Now shut up and start fighting because there's no time to waste! We're talking total war against the forces of evil with the only thing standing between civilisation and the end of everything as we know it is you - one angry Marine with a hand-gun and a bad attitude. This is faithful of the PC version, which means all the...

Enter the world of Dragon. A place where the martial arts legend Bruce Lee lived for 32 troublesome years. A place where you will encounter a multitude of the smartest and fiercest opponents ever to be seen on the Nintendo. At your disposal is a devastating array of over 35 different fighting moves. You WILL need them.

From deep within Mordroc's castle, a foul stench rose up to mix with the cold, damp midnight air; the telltale sign of the evil wizard's pet fire breathing dragon, Singe; the beast that guarded the Princess Daphne in the deadly caves, far below the surface. Dirk the Daring walked toward the castle gate. He felt no fear, but then...

Chaos and evil have befallen us. The Great Drakkhen, source of universal magic, has been usurped. You and your companions must confront the ruling dragon princes to restore world peace. Ancient prophecy warns of dangers not yet born by mortal men. But you must not be deterred. Your wit will be tested and your lives are at risk every moment in...

Are you clever enough to solve an evil wizard's twisted puzzles? Do you possess the concentration needed to explore a labyrinth of Mystery? Should you resist the tempting treasures, defeat the hideous monsters and escape the devious traps that are hidden throughout the Grey Lord's dreadful dungeon? Yes? Then perhaps you'll be the one...

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Revisit the magic and fun of the classic Super Mario Bros. games for the NES! All the great Super Mario Bros. games for the NES have been powered up with 16-bit graphics and sound collected on one super game pack. Comes with Control Deck, Super...